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Halloween in New York

Neonshock — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:42:22 -0800

My boyfriend and I are flying into JFK from the UK on Halloween (landing approx 12 noon). Hive Mind! I command thee to besearch your crystal ball and telleth me some spooking goings on I simply can't miss on that fateful eve! Its my birthday early November so I decided to pop over the pond as I have never been to the US. I only just realised we land on halloween, it seems very exciting since we dont really 'do' H'ween over here.
Id like to dump our stuff, go find some costumes (possible? and where?) and head out to go be very childish and eat 'candy'. We are both mid-twenties, we like dance music and clubs, are pretty much up for anything different and will have a plentiful amount of cash available.

So, New Yorkers, where do we go? And what do we do? Am I misguided in thinking that there will even be anything to do? Please educate me.

I love Brooklyn in the summertime

Viola — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:07:17 -0800

I have a question similar to these two timely threads about what to do in NYC, but with a Brooklyn twist. My family is coming mainly to see yours truly, and we've decided to kick it mainly in my hood, Brooklyn. What should we do? My lovely family is visiting me from Thursday morning until Sunday afternoon, and we'll be located in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn. Mom and step-dad honeymooned in Manhattan a bajillion years ago and haven't been back since, while my 16 year-old sister has never visited. Here's the deal: they operate at a Southern pace. They don't like rude people or crowds or loud noises and they really don't like walking more than a few blocks. They've expressed a profound lack of interest in museums and Times Square--I usually see them once a year, so the trip is mainly to hang out as a family. As a die-hard Brooklyner who stays out of Manhattan unless absolutely necessary, I wouldn't mind taking advantage of the more laid-back borough and just walk around some pretty neighborhoods.

I got the parents tickets to see Billy Elliot on Saturday while I take my sister to see Animal Collective at Prospect Park, and we're all going to the Brooklyn Flea market as well. For restaurants, we'll probably go to Grimaldi's, Lucali, and the Vinegar Hill House for brunch. That's all I have planned before my mind draws a blank.

Where else should I take an out-of-town family for a Brooklyn-filled weekend? Bonus points for really low-key itineraries like, "take them to X neighborhood, walk around the brownstones/park/gardens, visit neat stores on Y street, eat at fabulous Z restaurant."

As for money, I saved them a boatload by hooking them up with a free loft for the vacation, but that doesn't mean we'll be dining at the Brooklyn equivalent to Per Se.

And I'll try to remember to say "mobile phone" instead of "cellphone" while I'm over there

Dec One — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:59:15 -0800

Group of American tourists going to Europe. We need a mobile phone solution to stay in touch with each other. I've found general cellphone advice for American tourists in Europe, but am looking for advice for phones and service for my specific situation. Some of the advice I've read says just go to a store when you get there and get a prepaid phone. But I'm wondering if that's the wisest idea for us. We're a group of American tourists going to the U.K. and Italy. Our total trip length is two weeks. A couple of us have American GSM phones, but most of us don't, and those that do would rather not return home to a $5,000 phone bill.

The purpose of these phones will be to talk to each other and make calls to local numbers near where we are, like to local restaurants. We don't need to call home. Our calls will be brief, so a high per-minute fee is not necessarily a bad thing, if the service makes up for it by being otherwise cheap.

What is a good cheap solution? Will the same phone and service work economically in the U.K. and Italy without any roaming charges? Can we save money by buying phones on eBay before our trip begins? Or by ordering from a prepaid service provider before our trip begins? What are some good service providers? Or is it really best to just go to a store when we get there?

That's me. That's also me. Me again. Yup: me.

progosk — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:42:40 -0800

Whence the Asian tourist habit of having themselves photographed standing stiffly in front of monuments? It's the repetitivity/automation with which it's done that never ceases to amaze me. Couldn't find any thoughtful articles on this. (Also: is it as specifically asian a habit as it seems?)

Jazz Fest 2007

peeedro — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 22:10:22 -0800

Help us plan our trip to New Orleans Jazz Fest! Mrs. peeedro and I are planning a trip to New Orleans for the first weekend of Jazz Fest and the following week but leaving New Orleans before the second weekend of Jazz Fest. This is a biggie but any input on the following topics would be appreciated:

• Which performances should we see? We will be there for the first weekend (with a zillion performances scheduled). Dr. John, Lucinda Williams, Percy Sledge, and T-Bone Burnett are on my short list, but which of the other lesser known, local performers should we see? We like anything that gets the booty shaking; jazz, blues, zydeco, Latin, or rock are great but we're not so excited by R&B, gospel, and soul.

• Jazz Fest is only on the weekends, what should we do during the week while we are down there? We're big on historical, cultural, and natural landmarks as well as good spots for people-watching. We'll have a car and are willing to make a daytrip out of destinations outside of New Orleans.

• We are staying in Madisonville. Is there anything we should know about timing and traffic to get across Lake Pontchartrain?

• Which restaurants should we try? I'm vegetarian and the Mrs doesn't eat seafood so our choices are restricted. Are any of these places not to be missed?

• We might have a friend along for the ride, he's gay and into the Levi/Leather, country and western, light S&M scenes. Are there any particularly good bars or clubs for him? Bonus points for something straight friendly so we can enjoy a drink while he gets a chance to meet people.

• Above all else, nothing makes us happier than finding a place to drink good beer on the cheap. Does anyone have recommendations for laid-back places to quench our thirst? Of course, we'd be happy to meet any local MeFites at their favorite watering holes or anyone else making the trip down for the festivities.

Where can I live cheaply while selling to people who don't?

leapingsheep — Mon, 01 May 2006 09:00:50 -0800

I'm looking for places in the US that are like Lancaster, PA in that they: 1.) have a low cost of living; yet 2.) Attract multitudes of affluent tourists looking to buy expensive hand made, "artisanal" things. Extra requirement: Diversity in general is good, but a notable Muslim presence in the area is a necessity, combined with an overall population that is generally tolerant. (I don't need a Dearborn, MI or a Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, but I'd like a local mosque and non-hostile, preferably friendly, neighbors.)

Where to stay in the LA area?

cyniczny — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 19:34:52 -0800

Where are some good, specific areas to stay in LA for a two-day visit? Visiting LA May 26-28 and need some specific areas to look for a hotel. I know certain parts of LA, but searching for hotels and trying to remember at which point Crenshaw turns evil or if Sepulveda is lined with hookers is stumping me. I'll be acting as tour guide for a couple of folks and we will be visiting most of the usual touristy spots, except theme parks.

Budget is in the low $100s per night, so Bel Air is out. But, we have a car, so we don't mind driving from one end of LA to the other. I would especially love very specific street names or areas that would be good for me to look for hotels in and around. Also, specifics to stay away from are equally appreciated.

Compassionate Tourism

azul — Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:25:31 -0800

Is there such a thing as "compassionate tourism" where people travel and volunteer their time/resources in rebuilding, in this case, the tsunami-hit South Asian region?

What is there to do in Tucson?

elsar — Wed, 15 Dec 2004 09:40:23 -0800

I'm going to be in Tucson over Christmas. Anything that is just not to be missed? Any resources besides Citysearch and The Tucson Weekly ?

TravelFilter: What to do in Paris?

taumeson — Mon, 22 Nov 2004 07:59:55 -0800

I'm going to Paris this weekend. It will be cold and rainy. But hey, I'll be in Paris.

What do MeFites (aka, you) think my SO and I should do?

Recommendations of what to see/do when visiting Washington D.C.?

vignettist — Mon, 14 Jun 2004 14:26:45 -0800

Recommendations of what to see/do when visiting Washington D.C.? We're going next week, and have a list of a few touristy spots to visit, but I'd like to see what Mefites recommend. Locals advice also highly appreciated, i.e. dance clubs and restaurants to visit. Finally, all over the web it says you must arrange a White House tour with one of your congressional representatives. We can't do that (group of two), someone said we can join a tour at a kiosk. Anyone agree with this? Please be kind if the question has been posted before, I searched.

What are the must-sees in London at the end of May?

LeiaS — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 08:43:40 -0800

I have two and a half days in London at the end of May. What are must-sees? Also, anyone want to meet a group of travelling American bloggers at a pub for a drink the night of May 29?